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To evaluate the effect of laser irradiation on the salinity tolerance in barley (hordeum vulgare L.) in the germination phase and seedling, a three- replicate experiment with CRD in a factorial arrangement experimental type has been previously conducted in Iran. Experimental factors were four barley genotypes (Reihan, Afzal, Fajr30 and Nosrat), two radiation levels (no laser and laser irradiation at 780 nm wavelength for 15 minutes) and five levels of salinity (0, 80, 160, 240 and 320 mM of sodium chloride). In this research, in the germination parameters (root length, shoot length, coleoptile length, root number, germination percentage, mean germination time, dry weight of seedling, seed vigor, and germination rate), all genotypes were significantly affected by increasing the salinity and laser irradiation (P

Introduction: The common method used for juice pasteurization is the thermal method since thermal methods contribute highly to inactivating microbes. However, applying high temperatures would lead to inefficient effects on nutrition and food value. Such effects may include vitamin loss, nutritional flavor loss, non-enzyme browning, and protein reshaping (Kuldiloke, 2002). In order to decrease the adverse effects of the thermal pasteurization method, other methods capable of inactivation of microorganisms can be applied. In doing so, non-thermal methods including pasteurization using high hydrostatic pressure processing (HPP), electrical fields, and ultrasound waves are of interest (Chen and Tseng, 1996). The reason for diminishing microbial count in the presence of ultrasonic waves could be due to the burst of very tiny bubbles developed by ultrasounds which expand quickly and burst in a short time. Due to this burst, special temperature and pressure conditions are developed which could initiate or intensify several physical and/or chemical reactions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the non-thermal ultrasonic method and its effective factors on the E.coli bacteria of sour cherry. Materials and methods: In order to supply uniform ultrasonic waves, a 1000 W electric generator (Model MPI, Switzerland) working at 20±1 kHz frequency was used. The aim of this study is to evaluate the non-thermal ultrasonic method and its effective factors on the E.coli bacteria of sour cherry. For this purpose, a certain amount of sour cherry fruit was purchased from local markets. First, the fruits were washed, cleaned and cored. The prepared fruits were then dewatered using an electric juicer. In order to separate pulp suspensions and tissue components, the extracted juice was poured into a centrifuge with the speed of 6000 rpm for 20 min. For complete separation of the remaining suspended particles, the transparent portion of the extract was passed through a Whatman filter paper using a vacuum pump (Mehmandoost et al., 2011). Afterwards, the samples were poured into a reactor with diameter and height of 80 and 50 mm, respectively. It is necessary to mention that the dimensions of the reactor were optimized during pretests. Probe design: One of the most common types of horns used for ultrasonic machining technologies is step type horn (Naď, 2010). For obtaining the governing equations on deformation along the step type horn in steady state conditions, Eq. (1) was used. In the solution of the mentioned differential equation, the answers are divided into two subsets and each of the answers is obtained considering the boundary conditions (Hosseinzadeh et al., 2013): (1) c^2.[(∂S/∂x)/(S(x)).(∂u(x,t))/∂x+(∂^2 u(x,t))/〖∂x〗^2 ]=(∂^2 u(x,t))/〖∂t〗^2 From Eq. (1), it can be concluded that: (2) u(x,t)=(A cos⁡〖ωx/c〗+B sin⁡〖ωx/c)(C cos⁡〖ωt+D sin⁡ωt 〗 〗) The boundary conditions for Eq. (2) are written as follows: (3) {■(a) (∂u(x))/∂x=0,x=0@b) (∂u(x))/∂x=0,x=l@c) u(0)=u_in )} One of the most important parts in probe design is preventing stress concentration in locations in which the area changes. To avoid this problem, the displacement in this section must be equal to zero (Hosseinzadeh et al., 2013). For obtaining the probe length, the displacement equation and the l1 parameter are used: σ=-E.u_in.ω/c.sin⁡〖(ω.x)/c〗 (4) In order to determine the maximum axial stress in step type probe, Eq. (3) and (4) are derived and set equal to zero. Therefore, the maximum stress will be equal to: σ_max=π.E.u_in/l (5) Optimization and Modeling using Response Surface Method: Response surface methodology (RSM) has an important application in the design, development and formulation of new products, as well as in the improvement of existing product designs. It defines the effect of the independent variables, alone or in combination, on processes. In addition, to analyzing the effects of the independent variables, this experimental methodology generates a mathematical model which describes the chemical or biochemical processes (Anjum et al., 1997, Halim et al., 2009). In order to obtain the optimum value, Eq. (1) will be used: (6) Y_i=β_0+∑▒〖β_i X_i+∑▒〖β_ij X_i X_j+〗〗 ∑▒〖β_ij X_i^2 〗+ε where, β0, βj, βij, βjj are regression coefficients for intercept, linear, interaction and quadratic coefficients, respectively, while Xi and Xj are coded independent variables and ε is the error. For this purpose, four factors of ultrasonic power (200 to 600 W), wave exposure time (5 to 15 min), probe diameter (20 to 40 mm), and probe penetration depth in sour cherry juice container (0 to 40 mm) were selected. First, the probes with the desired diameters were designed using the related formulas by using CAD-CAM. Results and Discussion: Surface Method (RSM) indicated that the quadratic model with 0.96 coefficient of friction, standard error of 1545.3, and coefficient of variation of 14% is the best model for estimating the number of E.coli bacteria among the different studied treatments. The results showed that with increasing probe diameter and probe depth, the destructive effects of ultrasonic wave increase. It was also revealed that as the probe diameter and penetration depth increase, the destructive effect of ultrasonic wave is initially increased and then follows by a decreasing trend. With the increasing power of ultrasonic, ultrasonic intensity increases and leads to reducing number of E.coli in sour cherry juice. The increase in time of treatment with ultrasonic causes a decrease in the number of E.coli in sour cherry juice. This is due to the fact that the increase of ultrasonic exposure time leads to the increase of sonic stream in reactor and results in higher contributions of ultrasonic waves to E.coli. Finally, the examined variables were optimized by RSM and the values of ultrasonic power, waves exposing time, probe diameter, and probe penetration depth were obtained as 600 W, 15 min, 35.31 mm, 20.83 mm, respectively. Considering the mentioned values, the amount of E.coli bacteria reduction was estimated to be 1.97 logarithmic period. Conclusions: 1. Increasing probe diameter and probe depth increasesthe destructive effect of ultrasonic wave. 2. The examined variables were optimized by RSM and the values of ultrasonic power, waves exposure time, probe diameter, and probe penetration depth were obtained as 600W, 15 min, 35.31 mm, 20.83 mm, respectively. Considering the optimum values, the amount of E.coli bacteria reduction was estimated to be 1.97 logarithmic period. 3. With the increasing power of ultrasonic waves, ultrasonic intensity increases and leads to a reduction of the number of E.coli in sour cherry juice. 4. The increase in time of treatment with ultrasonic causesa decrease in the number of E.coli in sour cherry juice.

Osteoporosis, characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to enlarged bone fragility and a consequent increase in fracture risk is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly people. The mortality rate in elderly persons with hip fracture approaches 20%. Half of them will be disabled in the remained life. Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study (IMOS) developed by Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (EMRC-TUMS) and Ministry of Health and Medical Education in 2000. The aim of this study with more than 6000 participitants, was to determine normal range of BMD in Iranian population and assessing the current calcium and vitamin D status in Iran. The results were used for determining the normrmogram of BMD in Iranians and prevalence of Vit-D deficinecy among them. This document outlines all aspects of osteoporosis including risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

Little is known about relation of transplantation and bone. We conducted a study to find out the frequency and predictors of osteoporosis in kidney transplanted patients in Iran. DEXA (DPX-MD, GE, Lunar corporation, USA) used for BMD of 61 kidney transplanted patients. Calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, BUN, creatinine and PTH, were also measured. Fourty four percent of patients were men (27). Mean±SD of age of men and women was 44.3±10.44 and 40/7± 13.77, respectively. Mean±SD of transplant duration was 33.9± 33. 2 months Mean±SD of dialysis time was 12±14 months. 29.5% of patients had osteoporosis. Osteoporosis was significantly higher in subjects with BMI less than 19 kg/m2 (P= 0.007). Alkaline phosphatase had a negative relation with osteoporosis in neck (P= 0.001). Other parameters had no significant relationship with osteoporosis. High prevalence of osteoporosis found in Iranian kidney graft recipients. Screening and therapeutic intervention in these patients is urgently needed.

Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) is a noninvasive, inexpensive and portable method for bone densitometry. It may measure some other parameters in addition to BMD, like elasticity and micro architecture. This study designed to determine the relation between reproductive factors and calcaneus QUS parameters in normal women of Tehran. BMD of heel in 151 normal women, 20-72Y/O (participator of Iranian Multi center Osteoporosis Study) was assessed using Achilles+ (GE, Lunar Corporation, USA). After assessment of normal values, Stiffness Index percentiles acquired. With consideration of correlation between variables, multiple regression analysis was used. Mean±SD values of Speed of Sound (SOS), Broad Band Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA) and Stiffness Index (SI), was 36/751527/25, 121/4215/1, 94/4617/92, respectively. Parameters decreased with age (P

DXL of calcaneus is a portable method for BMD. This study determined a cut off point for DXL in osteoporosis diagnosis. In 510 healthy postmenopausal women, BMD of axial regions with DXA (DPX-MD, GE,Lunar Corp, Madison, WI) and heel with DXL (Demeteck- Sweden), measured. The agreement of two methods and cut off point for DXL in defining osteoporosis, obtained. DXA found osteoporosis in 34.3% and in DXL in 26.1% of cases. Agreement (Kappa) was 0.407 for spine and 0.347 for femur. T-score = -1.8 for spine and T-score = -2.2 for femur were the cut off points of DXL in diagnosis of osteoporosis (sensitivity=84% specificity=60%) and (sensitivity=84% and specificity=70%), respectively. Area under curve for regions were 0.807 (P=0.000) and 0.859 (P=0.000), respectively. These results mean DXL can not be used as a replacement for DXA, but it may can be used as a screening method for osteoporosis.

This study planned for finding the agreement DXA and quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of phalanx in osteoporosis diagnosis and cut off point of QUS for osteoporosis diagnosis in postmenopausal women. In 180 postmenopausal women, BMD of axial regions with DXA (DPX-MD, GE, Lunar, USA) and phalanx with QUS (DBM-Sonic 1200) measured. Agreement of methods and cut off for QUS in defining osteoporosis obtained. Prevalence of osteoporosis with DXA was 28.8% (18.3% in L2-L4 and 3.9%-7.8% in femoral regions) and in 28.9% with QUS. Agreement of them (Kappa score) was 0.317 for spine and 0.036-0.068 for femoral regions. T-score= -2.0 was the cut off of QUS in spinal osteoporosis diagnosis (sensitivity=78.8% and specificity= 55.9%). We could not find cutoff point for osteoporosis in femoral regions. This means that QUS of phalanx is not a good replacement for DXA, but it can be used as a screening method for osteoporosis.

Little is known about relation of transplantation and bone. We conducted a study to find out the frequency and predictors of osteoporosis in kidney transplanted patients in Iran. DEXA (DPX-MD, GE, Lunar corporation, USA) used for BMD of 61 kidney transplanted patients. Calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, BUN, creatinine and PTH, were also measured. Fourty four percent of patients were men (27). Mean±SD of age of men and women was 44.3±10.44 and 40/7± 13.77, respectively. Mean±SD of transplant duration was 33.9± 33. 2 months Mean±SD of dialysis time was 12±14 months. 29.5% of patients had osteoporosis. Osteoporosis was significantly higher in subjects with BMI less than 19 kg/m2 (P= 0.007). Alkaline phosphatase had a negative relation with osteoporosis in neck (P= 0.001). Other parameters had no significant relationship with osteoporosis. High prevalence of osteoporosis found in Iranian kidney graft recipients. Screening and therapeutic intervention in these patients is urgently needed.

Osteoporosis, characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to enlarged bone fragility and a consequent increase in fracture risk is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly people. The mortality rate in elderly persons with hip fracture approaches 20%. Half of them will be disabled in the remained life. Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study (IMOS) developed by Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (EMRC-TUMS) and Ministry of Health and Medical Education in 2000. The aim of this study with more than 6000 participitants, was to determine normal range of BMD in Iranian population and assessing the current calcium and vitamin D status in Iran. The results were used for determining the normrmogram of BMD in Iranians and prevalence of Vit-D deficinecy among them. This document outlines all aspects of osteoporosis including risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

This study planned for finding the agreement DXA and quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of phalanx in osteoporosis diagnosis and cut off point of QUS for osteoporosis diagnosis in postmenopausal women. In 180 postmenopausal women, BMD of axial regions with DXA (DPX-MD, GE, Lunar, USA) and phalanx with QUS (DBM-Sonic 1200) measured. Agreement of methods and cut off for QUS in defining osteoporosis obtained. Prevalence of osteoporosis with DXA was 28.8% (18.3% in L2-L4 and 3.9%-7.8% in femoral regions) and in 28.9% with QUS. Agreement of them (Kappa score) was 0.317 for spine and 0.036-0.068 for femoral regions. T-score= -2.0 was the cut off of QUS in spinal osteoporosis diagnosis (sensitivity=78.8% and specificity= 55.9%). We could not find cutoff point for osteoporosis in femoral regions. This means that QUS of phalanx is not a good replacement for DXA, but it can be used as a screening method for osteoporosis.

DXL of calcaneus is a portable method for BMD. This study determined a cut off point for DXL in osteoporosis diagnosis. In 510 healthy postmenopausal women, BMD of axial regions with DXA (DPX-MD, GE,Lunar Corp, Madison, WI) and heel with DXL (Demeteck- Sweden), measured. The agreement of two methods and cut off point for DXL in defining osteoporosis, obtained. DXA found osteoporosis in 34.3% and in DXL in 26.1% of cases. Agreement (Kappa) was 0.407 for spine and 0.347 for femur. T-score = -1.8 for spine and T-score = -2.2 for femur were the cut off points of DXL in diagnosis of osteoporosis (sensitivity=84% specificity=60%) and (sensitivity=84% and specificity=70%), respectively. Area under curve for regions were 0.807 (P=0.000) and 0.859 (P=0.000), respectively. These results mean DXL can not be used as a replacement for DXA, but it may can be used as a screening method for osteoporosis.

Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) is a noninvasive, inexpensive and portable method for bone densitometry. It may measure some other parameters in addition to BMD, like elasticity and micro architecture. This study designed to determine the relation between reproductive factors and calcaneus QUS parameters in normal women of Tehran. BMD of heel in 151 normal women, 20-72Y/O (participator of Iranian Multi center Osteoporosis Study) was assessed using Achilles+ (GE, Lunar Corporation, USA). After assessment of normal values, Stiffness Index percentiles acquired. With consideration of correlation between variables, multiple regression analysis was used. Mean±SD values of Speed of Sound (SOS), Broad Band Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA) and Stiffness Index (SI), was 36/751527/25, 121/4215/1, 94/4617/92, respectively. Parameters decreased with age (P

The present study was undertaken to investigate and optimize the possibility of xanthan gum production by Xanthomonas campestris PTCC1473 in 500ml shake flasks on the second grade date palm. Using an experimental response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with a central composite design (CCD), three major independent variables (nitrogen source, phosphor source and agitation rate) were evaluated for their individual and interactive effects on biomass and xanthan gum production in submerged fermentation. The optimum conditions selected for gum production were 3.15 g.l-1 for nitrogen source, 5.03 g.l-1 for phosphor source, and 394.8 rpm for agitation rate. Reconfirmation test was conducted, and the experimental value obtained for xanthan production under optimum conditions was about 6.72±0.26 g.l-1, which was close to 6.51 g.l-1 as predicted by the model. A higher yield of biomass production was obtained at 13.74 g.l-1 for nitrogen source, 4.66 g.l-1 for phosphor source, and 387.42 rpm for agitation rate. In the next stage, scale-up from the shake flasks to the 1-L batch fermentors was carried. By using the optimum conditions for xanthan gum, the biomass and xanthan gum concentrations after 72h in three levels of air flow rate (0.5, 1 and 1.5 vvm) were obtained as 3.98, 5.31 and 6.04 g.l-1,and 11.32, 15.16 and 16.84 g.l-1, respectively. Overall, the second grade date palm seemed to exhibit promising properties that can open new pathways for the production of efficient and cost-effective xanthan gum.

In the present study, the drying kinetics of non-fat yoghurt with constant thickness of (2.2 mm) in a microwave–vacuum dryer to the power of (35, 130, and 260 W) as well as 5 absolute pressure levels (60, 200, 400, 600, and 800 mbar) were evaluated. To choose the best, also 12 experimental/ semi-theoretical and/or empirical thin-layer drying models were examined. Based on the findings of this study various ranges of microwave power affects drying time where by increasing the microwave power (from 35 to 260 W), drying time significantly decreases from 90 min to 15) which is (600%). However, no significant effects in drying time were observed when reduced the absolute pressure in the system. RMSE was picked to be the most suitable model when the comparison runs between Logistic, Middilli and coworkers models for it contained maximum R2 and minimum χ2 so it could satisfactorily describe the drying kinetics of non-fat yoghurt. The effective moisture diffusivity was increased by increasing the microwave power from 4.42×10-10 to 2.83×10-9 m2s-1 while the pressure had zero effect on this value. In addition, the activation energy was calculated using the modified Arrhenius equation method.

The Caspian kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum, and grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella are two commercially important fishes with similar external features, the first one being endemic to the Caspian Sea, and the second one is cultured in freshwater polyculture system. In this study the nutrient composition of these fishes were compared. Then with the intention of better shelf-life, their hot processed marinades were organoleptically analysed at intervals of 2, 4, 6 and 8 months, using Total Volatile Nitrogen (T.V.N) and peroxid values. The comparison of the fish composition with Duncan test showed no significant difference (p< %5) in average amount of protein, ash and energy content, but significant difference in amount of lipid, P, Ca content, iodine value, saponification value, acid value, peroxide value (at 0,1,3,5 and 7 days after oil extraction) was observed. It means that lipid content, peroxide value and acid value in kutum were higher than grass carp (0.93%, 1.5 mEq/kg and 4.33% fatty acid according to oleic acid, respectively), and Ca, P contents, iodine value and saponification value, on the other hand, were higher in grass carp (39.89 and 12.01 mg/100g , 6.20 %12 and 8.62 mgKOH/g, respectively). The organoleptic results showed that the produced marinade from grass carp (according to variance analysis) is perferable than the other one. Also, it was found that this marinade can be stored during 6 months at 10°C in good condition.

Effects of salep gum at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, 3%, and 5% (w/w flour basis) and the Persian gum at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 3% (w/w flour basis) and combination of the two gums at concentrations of 0.5% + 0.5%, 0.75% + 0.25%, and 0.25% + 0.75% on rheological properties of the wheat flour dough and quality of Taftoon bread were studied with regard to retardation of staling. Rheological (farinograph and extensograph) characteristics, staling, and organoleptic evaluations were performed on the dough and the resulting Taftoon bread. Statistical results showed that the salep gum at 5% and Persian gum at 3% (w/w flour basis) had a significant effect on the dough properties. Salep and Persian gums when each separately added increased and decreased dough water absorption, respectively. Both hydrocolloids increased the dough resistance to extension and decreased its extensibility. Persian gum shows dual nature in water absorption and some other baking properties. Textural studies revealed that addition of 5% salep gum (w/w flour basis) reduced the bread crumb firmness and delayed the staling process of the Taftoon bread. X-ray diffraction study also confirmed this result.